Following the adoption of the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework, countries in Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, have begun cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Dr. Bekir Shale, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Dr. Margaret Mwakima, Principal Secretary State Department of Vocational and Technical Training, Ministry of Education, Republic of Kenya; and Prof. Eliamani M. Sedoyeka, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, United Republic of Tanzania reaffirmed their “commitment” in a communique issued at the end of the meeting.
The adoption of the Regional Qualifications Framework is expected to promote regional mobility of students and skilled workers, which is one of the goals of the World Bank-funded Eastern African Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).
In the communique, the Permanent Secretaries pledged to “mainstream the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework into national policies and qualifications frameworks, as well as in TVET education systems, and to enforce effective implementation of the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework’s conceived purposes.”
The Permanent Secretaries also urged other Eastern African countries to use the Regional TVET Qualification Framework for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Dr. Mwakima urged all countries in the Eastern African Region to embrace the three countries’ progress and work.
Mwakima stated that TVET sector is very critical for the country’s social-economic development.
“Therefore, we need a concerted effort to ensure that our youth are equipped with skills needed for industrialisation and manufacturing.” Dr. Mwakima said.
To ensure the successful implementation of this communique, Mwakima noted that all TVET institutions and polytechnics in the region must collaborate and play their proper roles.
Prof. Mike Kuria, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), praised the Permanent Secretaries for adopting the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework and urged them to implement it.
Prof. Kuria stated that policy reforms are required to ensure the successful implementation of the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework in order to foster regional integration and support mobility of students and graduates in the region.
ALSO READ:
Assegid Getachew, the State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills said: “The Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Skills which oversees the TVET sector will continue to follow up and monitor the implementation of the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework”.
With technical assistance from the Inter-University Council for East Africa, the adopted framework is expected to be implemented by relevant ministries, national agencies, and institutions (IUCEA).